The 2021 National Hockey League playoffs get underway on Saturday and 25 players with BC Hockey League experience are on a quest for the Stanley Cup.
The Colorado Avalanche lead the way with four BCHL alumni on their playoff roster as of this writing, while the Edmonton Oilers (3), Nashville Predators (3), and New York Islanders (3) are close behind.
The Coquitlam Express and Penticton Vees have produced the most playoff performers with five alumni on the list followed by the Victoria Grizzlies with four while the Surrey Eagles have produced three.
The 2020-21 NHL season was the league’s 104th season of operation. Edmonton Oilers defenseman Tyson Barrie (Victoria Grizzlies) is tops among all former BCHL players in scoring in the NHL this season with eight goals and 48 points in 55 games. New York Islanders star Mathew Barzal (Coquitlam Express) is next with 17 goals and 45 points in 55 games.
Three of the top five point-getters among BCHL alumni in the NHL this season are defensemen, led by Barrie. Colorado Avalanche blueliner Devon Toews (Surrey Eagles) has 31 points in 53 games while Justin Schultz (West Kelowna Warriors) of the Washington Capitals topped out at 27 points in 46 games.
With the playoff match-ups set, the second season begins as the Tampa Bay Lightning looks to defend its 2020 title.
BCHL alumni on NHL playoff rosters
Most recent BCHL club is listed in brackets.
Boston Bruins (1):
Mike Reilly (Penticton Vees)
Colorado Avalanche (4):
Devon Toews (Surrey Eagles)
Tyson Jost (Penticton Vees)
Alex Newhook (Victoria Grizzlies)
Hunter Miska (Penticton Vees)
Edmonton Oilers (3):
Tyson Barrie (Victoria Grizzlies)
Jujhar Khaira (Prince George Spruce Kings)
Kyle Turris (Coquitlam Express)
Minnesota Wild (2):
Brad Hunt (Coquitlam Express)
Andrew Hammond (Vernon Vipers)
Montreal Canadiens (1):
Carey Price (Quesnel Millionaires)
Nashville Predators (3):
Ryan Johansen (Penticton Vees)
Colton Sissons (West Kelowna Warriors)
Dante Fabbro (Penticton Vees)
New York Islanders (3):
Travis Zajac (Salmon Arm Silverbacks)
Mathew Barzal (Coquitlam Express)
Andrew Ladd (Coquitlam Express)
Pittsburgh Penguins (1):
Brandon Tanev (Surrey Eagles)
St. Louis Blues (1):
Tyler Bozak (Victoria Grizzlies)
Toronto Maple Leafs (2):
Alexander Kerfoot (Coquitlam Express)
Riley Nash (Salmon Arm Silverbacks)
Vegas Golden Knights (1):
Dylan Coghlan (Nanaimo Clippers)
Washington Capitals (1):
Justin Schultz (West Kelowna Warriors)
Winnipeg Jets (2):
Laurent Broissot (Cowichan Valley Capitals)
Jordie Benn (Victoria Grizzlies)
